We’re not ones to brag, but we did something unusual today, we got out of bed on time. To celebrate here’s a knock-your-socks-off Wholesaler Wrap.

War history, culture and physical adventure: 2018 Kokoda trekking season begins

Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) famed Kokoda Track has welcomed its first trekkers of the season, kick-starting what is expected to be a strong year for the country’s most popular travel experience.

The 96 kilometre trek through PNG’s Owen Stanley Ranges makes for one of the world’s most spectacular and challenging treks, whilst providing the opportunity for travellers to immerse themselves in PNG’s unique rich culture and discover the moving World War II history of the region.

President of the Kokoda Tour Operators Association (KTOA), Sue Fitcher, said they’re anticipating another busy year on the track, with last year’s 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kokoda reigniting strong interest from travellers with 3,561 people taking on the challenge, up 40 per cent on the previous year.

Following the trek, Aussies are encouraged to unwind and recuperate by the crystal-clear waters in the island regions of Milne Bay to the south or East New Britain to the north east.

Amanzoe Greece

World Journeys’ is proud to promote the luxurious and elegant AMANZOE. Situated on a hilltop in Greece AMANZOE this hotel is like no other, commanding 360 degree views of the Peloponnese countryside, rocky coves and views of the Aegean Sea.

The luxury resort is within easy reach of a wealth of Greek archaeological sites and bustling Porto Heli. AMANZOE features, a private Beach Club along with AMANZOE boats for guests to enjoy a Greek cruise, award-winning spa and wellness centre including a Watsu pool and moonlit yoga and elegant Greek and Mediterranean style dining with fresh fish delivered daily.

Inspired by classic Greek architecture, the hotel design features include columned walkways, serene garden courtyards and an amphitheatre. AMANZOE is the perfect luxurious retreat to explore the nature, coastal pleasures and ancient heritage of the Peloponnese. Three night packages including return transfers start at NZ$ 3,255 per person share twin. Contact our ZOE for more details on 1800 155 044 or zoe@worldjourneys.com.au.

Kids travel free on Wild Bush Luxury’s Arkaba Family Walk

Up to two children can travel free of charge on a four-day Wild Bush Luxury adventure at the 60,000 acre wildlife conservancy Arkaba in South Australia, when travelling with two paying adults. This is a saving of 50 per cent or $5,000.

This altered version of the popular Arkaba Walk, is designed for families wanting to share a unique school-holiday experience in the Australian Outback away from the distractions of television, computers and urban life.

Wild Bush Luxury believes connecting children to the bush is fundamental to their education and invites families to share quality time in the beautiful surrounds of nature and wildlife while also learning about the importance of conservation from expert guides.

The price of $2,500 per adult, twin-share includes the following for a family of up to four: flights from Adelaide to Port Augusta and connecting road transfer to Arkaba in the Flinders Ranges; all gourmet meals and beverages; two nights’ swag camping on Arkaba’s star beds; one night in the 1850s Arkaba Homestead and the return trip by scenic road transfer through the Clare Valley wine country. This is a saving of 50 per cent or $5,000.

Earlybird offer on 2019 Torres Strait Island cruises

High interest in its new Torres Strait Islands cruises has prompted expedition cruise operator, Ahoy Buccaneers, to offer another five sailings to the remote and rarely visited islands in 2019, with a 10 per cent  saving available for bookings made on new cruises by April 30, 2018.

The Torres Strait Island cruises are Ahoy Buccaneers’ first foray outside its base in the Kimberly region, with the first five cruises departing in October and November this year.

The five new sailings will explore the southern, emerald islands of the Torres Strait archipelago as well as Cape York – the most northern tip of Australia – from February 25 and also March 4,11,18 and 25 in 2019.

Scattered across a 150km stretch of ocean between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait archipelago is home to stunning, blue waters as well as dugongs, dolphins, giant marlin and sea turtles. The Torres Strait reefs provide plenty of opportunities for fishing, snorkelling, fishing and just marvelling at the beauty of nature.

Travellers to take the Scenic route to Egypt and Jordan

In one month, Scenic will make its long-awaited return to Egypt and Jordan with the phenomenal interest received from guests credited for the addition of several new departures to the region.

Scenic has expanded its 2018/2019 Egypt and Jordan program to include extra departures of its three itineraries in November 2018, as well as between January and May 2019 and August and November 2019.

The new dates were added to meet demand following the successful launch of Scenic’s The Ancient Wonders of Egypt and Jordan brochure in August last year, and will further open up the treasures of the Middle East to Australian travellers keen to experience the many wonders of these ancient worlds.

Scenic’s sold out inaugural Treasures of Egypt tour will depart Giza on 13 April, bound for Luxor. Following a four day Nile cruise on Sanctuary Sun Boat III, with calls to Karnak and the Nile temples, guests will head on to Aswan before returning to Cairo.

Exclusive Tali Wiru re-opens for 2018 season

Voyages Ayers Rock Resort’s exclusive evening dining experience in the desert, Tali Wiru, (meaning beautiful dune in local Pitjantjatjara) re-opens for its fifth season on 26 March 2018. The open air gastronomic experience offers a magical evening of fine dining on a remote sand dune overlooking Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta. This season’s menu features ancient flavours of Indigenous Australia with some exciting and unusual ingredients woven into the menu.

Guests enjoy Champagne and canapés at sunset accompanied by the sounds of a digeridoo, followed by a four-course table d’hote menu with perfectly matched premium Australian wines. A storyteller shares tales of Indigenous culture and the southern night sky and the evening ends with a port, cognac or native wattleseed infused hot chocolate around the campfire.

The new Tali Wiru menu features canapes such as Seared Scallop with Finger Lime Buerre Noisette or Ham Hock and Kangaroo Terrine with pickled Riberry and Damper, and entrees including Pressed Wallaby with Fermented Quandong, Hung Yoghurt, Pomegranate and Puffed Ancient Grains or Chilled King Prawns with Fennel, Finger Lime, Pea Mousse, Squid Ink Tapioca Cracker, Edamame Beans and Geraldton Wax.

Unwrap the mysteries of ancient Egypt

Delve into the mysteries of ancient Egypt and virtually unwrap six mummies through cutting-edge visualisations and state-of-the-art technology at Queensland Museum’s latest exhibition Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives on now until 26 August.

The exhibition sheds new light on a small part of one of the British Museum’s most popular collections and highlights the scientific investigation undertaken by its curators using CT scanning technology.

Minister for Science and the Arts the Honourable Leeanne Enoch said Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives was an example of how science and arts are intertwined.

While the exhibition is underpinned by detailed and unprecedented scientific analysis of what lies beneath the coffins and bandages, the six mummies are treated as individuals, not as objects.

Savings on two Tongan Eco Whale Swim Tours

The whale-watch season is just over the horizon and to mark the annual migration, Australian eco
operator, Majestic Whale Encounters, is offering savings on two of its all-inclusive whale swim tours
this September in Tonga where the whales nurse their calves in the warm waters before returning to
Antarctica.

A record whale season is expected in Tonga this year and both the seven-night and eight-night tours aim to make the most of this, incorporating stays and whale swims at an eco-resort in Tonga as well as kayaking, snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding.

After arriving in Tonga, guests will fly to Ha’apai Island, where breakfast, dinner and lunch are included for all nights as well activities such as kayaking, snorkelling on the reef just in front of the bungalows, stand up paddle boarding, bike riding and bushwalking.

The whale-watching boat will depart each day from the front of the resort. Guests will have the opportunity to spend four days swimming with the majestic mammals, which stretch 19m long, while maintaining safe, non-invasive guidelines set by the ‘Responsible Whale Watching’ code in Tonga.

A sneak peek and superdeals to launch APT’s Canada & Alaska 2019 Tours

Today, leading cruises and tour operator, APT, launched their 2019 Canada and Alaska Pre-Release brochure. Book by 17th May 2018 to secure exclusive Pre-Release prices and take advantage of a range of early-bird Superdeals including Companion Fly Free including taxes.

This brochure allows a sneak peek into a range of upcoming journeys in 2019 such as the 27-day Sparkling Rockies & Alaska Expedition Cruise, which ventures deep into Alaska’s Inside Passage on Ponant’s Small Ship Le Soleal; the 18-day Rockies Highlights & Alaska Cruise that guarantees spectacular views with a Lakeview room at the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise; and the 25-day Eastern Canada & USA with New England Cruise that creates unforgettable memories at Niagara Falls with an exclusive experience.

Returning in 2019, guests can journey aboard the luxurious Le Soleal for a one-off departure on the 27-day Sparkling Rockies & Alaska Expedition Cruise, starting at $26,295 per person, twin share, with a Superdeal Companion Fly Free offer. Guests will relax in a glass-domed carriage with guaranteed GoldLeaf Service aboard a two-day Rocky Mountaineer journey. Two nights will be spent at the Sparkling Hill Resort, with a private dining experience in the Gernot suite with matching wines.

Operators react late to new Belgian bylaws on audio head-sets

Vox S.p.A. is seeing a huge spike in demand as operators from around the world are contacting the company with urgent requests to supply headsets for guests imminently arriving in Belgium. The city of Brugge recently enacted new bylaws to outlaw walking tours for groups of 25 people and above, unless they are using radio-headsets.

Vox Group is headquartered Rome and has over 50 offices around the world. It is the world’s leading provider of radio-based, audio-guiding equipment. The numbers are staggering. In 2017, Vox serviced over 8 million travellers; on an estimated 20 million audio tours, through nearly 2,500 partner tour operators.